BFL Confirms Featherweight Title Match

When Battlefield Fight League returns with a second show at Vernon, B.C.’s Westbild Centre for BFL13 on February 11th, 2012, the promotion will not make the night’s only long-awaited encore.

In the co-main event, two of Canada’s very best featherweights, nearby Kelowna’s Mike Adams (6-0) and Nanaimo’s Graham Spencer (7-1 1NC), will also make a return of sorts to rematch a fight that took place in the very same building in May, 2010. This time, Adams and Spencer will compete for BFL’s vacant 145lb. title!

At the time of their first bout, both fighters were 5-0 and each was presumed as being scouted by international MMA promotions eager to add to fledgling featherweight rosters. The pressure to win could hardly have been more intense, but the fight itself succeeded on every level, providing intense back-and-forth action and ending decisively when Adams secured a guillotine choke along the fence midway through the second round.

For Adams, whose diminutive size belies a ferocious spirit and considerable raw strength, the win in front of a boisterous hometown crowd seemed a portent of bigger things to come. Then again, as many in MMA circles know well, life frequently gets in the way. In fact, Adams, who trains under David Lea at the Okanagan’s famed Team Toshido, has not fought since.

At BFL13, Adams looks to pick up ‘exactly’ where he left off. A second win over the talented Spencer would prove the extended break from competition has done nothing to dull his well-rounded skills. If Adams does claim the BFL strap this February, you can likely expect to see him back in the cage a lot sooner than last time!

For Graham Spencer, recalling his fight with Adams surely brings up mixed emotions. The experience was certainly valuable for a developing fighter, but the fact remains he came up short. This time, fans can expect an improved Spencer in Vernon as he has trained non-stop since then with head-trainer John Punt at Vancouver Island’s Impact MMA.

Following his bout with Adams, Spencer competed three times, including two BFL appearances. He earned two wins against zero loses with a pair of unanimous decisions over fighters with 3-1 records on fight night. Still, a rematch with Adams represents a clear return to top-flight competition. With a win, Spencer would avenge his only loss, not to mention bring a piece of serious hardware back to fans and teammates.

Both fighters are well rounded, but Spencer has recently shown an increased ability to strike effectively from distance, which, combined with a significant reach advantage, could make stand-up his best option. Meanwhile, Adams’ powerhouse strength and low centre of gravity may favour a ground war. That said, both excel at submissions, meaning a finish could come at any moment during this scheduled five-round fight.

The annuls of MMA are filled with many more skilled fighters than could ever succeed at the highest level, and what separates champions from perennial contenders often has as much to do with talent and dedication as with timing. Considering everything that affects the scheduling of an MMA title fight, it’s pretty special whenever a pivotal, much-need divisional rematch is held for championship gold.

With so much on the line at BFL13, how could fans even think about leaving their seats?